Skateboarding injuries send 26,000 people to emergency rooms each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children can suffer severe injuries when they fall from a skateboard. To make skateboarding as safe as possible, parents and children must take special precautions.
Risks
Skateboarding injuries can range from mild to life-threatening, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Wrist, ankle and facial injuries are common, and children can also suffer fractured and dislocated bones. Severe injuries that can lead to permanent disability or death may occur if the head is struck in a fall.
Protective Gear
Require your child to wear protective gear when skateboarding. Lack of protective equipment is often a factor in skateboarding injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children should wear a helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads and shoes when they ride a skateboard, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Make sure all protective gear fits properly, and instruct your child to wear it at all times when skateboarding.
Safe Riding Environment
Children should ride skateboards on smooth, dry surfaces located in a well-lit area. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns parents not to let children ride a skateboard near traffic. Even if a child is not in the path of traffic, a fall or accident could place him in the path of a vehicle. Children should also avoid homemade skate ramps, which frequently play a role in skateboarding injuries, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Safe Riding
Teach children to check skateboards for problems before each use. If there are any cracked, loose or broken parts, the board should not be used until it is repaired. Instruct children not to attempt risky moves above their skill level. Tricks and jumps should be reserved for skate parks that have adequate adult supervision and access to medical care, warns the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Never allow children to hold onto a moving vehicle while they stand on a skateboard; this can result in serious injury or death.
Handling Falls
Children will likely experience some falls when they ride a skateboard. Teach your child that he can minimize the impact of a fall by crouching down as he loses his balance so he will not have as far to fall, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. He should also attempt to fall on a fleshy part of his body, try to roll instead of landing on his arms and relax his body as he falls. These measures combined with proper protective gear can reduce the risk of serious injury.
Considerations
The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that children under the age of 5 should not ride a skateboard, and children under 10 should be closely supervised when using a skateboard. Beginners should use a short skateboard to help them learn to balance and control the board.
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